Cleaning measures sought for 'overgrown' River Suir in Tipperary

Tensions flared in this month’s meeting of the Thurles Municipal District of the Tipperary County Council upon the raising of the matter of the condition of the River Suir in Thurles.

Thurles Councillor Jim Ryan raised the matter of the condition in which the river finds itself in Thurles, stating that he believes action needs to be taken to solve what he believes is an overgrowth issue, and asked for a commitment to be made to take action.

Cllr Ryan said that the river cannot remain the way that it is at present.

Responding to Cllr Ryan, District Engineer Thomas Duffy said that while Cllr Ryan has his opinions on the matter, they also have heard from different bodies urging them not to cut back along the river.

Mr Duffy stated that one of the reasons for not cutting back the growth along the river is due to the amount of wildlife that currently resides within it.

He also stated that the growth is due to nutrient growth.

Mr Duffy stated that in the previous two years, the council has cut back the growth along the river, cutting it as close as they could to previous years, but this year, he says a substantial number of people have been in contact to urge them not to cut back on the growth.

He stated that he and his team are working with relevant bodies, such as LAWPRO and Environmental Protection to find a middle ground.

Acknowledging comments made by Cllr Micheál Lowry, Mr Duffy said that he believes the river will never return to the pristine condition, in the eyes of some.

Also referring to comments from Cllr Lowry, he acknowledged that buildings had been constructed along the river bank in recent years, owing to the aesthetic brought on by being in a riverside location, but that he thinks the river will not return to this condition in the near future.

He mentioned the nutrients being a major factor in shaping the way the river looks, as well as the matter of flooding.

He stated that he would not give commitment to the request made by Cllr Ryan.

Responding, Cllr Ryan asked Mr Duffy if it would now be a case where the river would be allowed to become completely overgrown due to wildlife.

He stated that wildlife has always been present along the river, and asked to know what wildlife was the cause of the matter, stating that previously, animals including swans and fish were present in the river, but that he rarely sees swans present anymore.

Mr Duffy responded, saying that they must work with all of the relevant stakeholders, and Inland Fisheries, for decisions such as these, and that they are advising that this type of work, including cutting grass and clearing overgrowth, not be carried out along the river, as it does not keep with the biodiversity plan for the area.

Cllr Ryan stated that, as someone who grew up in Thurles, there was more wildlife in the area back then than there is at present, and that he does not know how anyone can say otherwise.

He added that he cannot understand how the River Suir in Clonmel and in Cahir is “pristine” and cannot be allowed to become overgrown, and expressing his disappointment that it was now on record that the River Suir in Thurles would now become overgrown, stating that water will not be seen in the river going forward if the plan is to proceed, stating that it was “unacceptable.”

Mr Duffy concluded by confirming commitment to working with the relevant stakeholders regarding the condition of the river, that they would ensure any blockages along the river are kept cleared, and that he could not give a commitment to cut growth by the river on a regular basis.

Cllr Lowry stated that the matter would be subject to an ecology report, saying that the council was not saying that it would completely shut down requests for cutting in the area, to which Mr Duffy said that they would work with all bodies to see what they are allowed to do in the area.